Rooney Mara Movies: Must-See Films (2025 Edition)

Rooney Mara movies are always a treat because she completely disappears into each role. In her quiet, intense way, she’s stolen scenes from The Social Network through A Ghost Story, but really burst out in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Carol. As a fan of Rooney Mara movies, I’m always excited to see what new role she’ll tackle — whether it’s a troubled hero or a sensitive outsider. Let’s take a chronological tour of her most notable films, from her early roles to recent projects. (Which Rooney Mara movie is your favorite? Read on and then let me know at the end!)

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A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

In this horror reboot, Rooney Mara plays Nancy Holbrook, one of a group of Ohio teens being stalked in their dreams by the disfigured Freddy Krueger. The film follows the classic slasher formula: Nancy and her friends uncover that they all share a dark connection from childhood that has made them Freddy’s targets. This was one of Mara’s earliest starring roles (she’s the “final girl”) — and even she admits it was a tough shoot. She later said working on Nightmare “was not a great experience” and even questioned whether to keep acting after it. (If you want a break from heavy drama, Elm Street is a cheesy thriller featuring Rooney at her “spooky final girl” best.)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

In David Fincher’s thriller, Rooney Mara plays punky hacker Lisbeth Salander opposite Daniel Craig’s journalist Mikael Blomkvist. A journalist is hired to solve a decades-old disappearance, and Lisbeth has the technical skills and fierce attitude to help crack the case. Mara fully transformed herself for Lisbeth — she shaved off most of her hair, dyed it black, bleached her eyebrows white, and even got multiple piercings to capture the character’s look. It paid off: her role as Salander earned Mara an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. This is Rooney at her most intense and unforgettable – if you haven’t seen Dragon Tattoo, it’s a must-watch for fans of Rooney Mara movies.

Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (2013)

In this indie drama, Mara stars as Ruth Guthrie, the pregnant partner of an outlaw (Casey Affleck) who goes to prison for a crime she committed. After Ruth gives birth, she tries to live a quiet life with their baby – but four years later, Bob (Affleck) escapes and comes back looking for them. Mara’s Ruth is tough and determined, giving one of her most raw, vulnerable performances. The film debuted at Sundance 2013, where it actually won the Cinematography Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. (It’s not on Netflix, but you can stream Saints on services like Paramount+ or AMC+ in 2025.) This is one of those Rooney Mara movies where you really feel her heart behind the eyes.

Side Effects (2013)

In Steven Soderbergh’s thriller Side Effects, Rooney Mara plays Emily Taylor, a young New York wife dealing with anxiety after her banker husband is released from prison. When a psychiatrist prescribes a new experimental drug, strange things start happening. I won’t give spoilers, but this is Rooney Mara in a very different mode – all quiet pain and mystery. (If you want a modern Hitchcock vibe, this is your film.)

Her (2013)

Though not visible on camera, Mara has an important cameo voice role in Spike Jonze’s sci-fi romance Her. The film is about a lonely man (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with his new AI assistant, Samantha (Scarlett Johansson’s voice). Rooney Mara plays Catherine, the man’s real-life wife from whom he is divorcing. Her few but powerful scenes set the emotional stage: Theodore is depressed about losing Catherine, which leads him to seek comfort in technology. Her was a critical darling – it won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay – and Rooney’s brief but memorable role adds weight to its bittersweet story.

Carol (2015)

In Todd Haynes’s beautifully shot 1950s romance, Mara is Therese Belivet, a young aspiring photographer working in a department store. She meets the glamorous Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), a woman caught in a difficult divorce, and the two begin a secret, forbidden romance. Mara’s Therese is curious and hopeful, acting opposite Blanchett’s wary elegance. This film got rave reviews, and Mara shared Cannes’ Best Actress award for it (tied with Standing Tall’s Emmanuelle Bercot). Crucially, her role as Therese earned Rooney Mara a second Oscar nomination (for Best Supporting Actress). Carol is one of the most gorgeous and heartbreaking films on this list – definitely a standout among Rooney Mara movies if you’re in the mood for a beautiful period romance.

Lion (2016)

In this true-story drama, Rooney Mara plays Lucy, a young American student who meets Saroo (Dev Patel) while he’s in college. The movie follows Saroo’s life: as a boy in India he gets lost on a train and is later adopted by an Australian family, and 25 years later he sets out to find his birth mother. Mara’s Lucy is kind and supportive, part of Saroo’s life when he discovers his past. Lion was a major awards contender (nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture), and Mara’s small but warm performance adds a touch of love to his journey. In 2025 you can find Lion on most streaming rental platforms or on Disney+ in many regions.

Women Talking (2022)

Women Talking is an ensemble drama set in a remote religious community of women who gather to discuss a terrible secret: the men in their colony have been drugging and assaulting them. Rooney Mara is one of the group of women debating what to do next. She portrays a thoughtful Mennonite mother who, like the others, must decide whether to stay or escape. The film’s powerhouse ensemble also includes Claire Foy and Frances McDormand, and it received multiple Oscar nods. Notably, Sarah Polley’s screenplay won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Women Talking is less about action and more about powerful dialogue, so if you like thoughtful, issue-driven films, this Rooney Mara movie is a strong pick.

La Cocina (2024)

In this 2024 comedy-drama, Mara plays Julia, a woman working in an upscale New York restaurant’s chaotic kitchen. The movie follows a crew of mostly immigrant cooks who deal with hilarious and heartfelt moments while serving customers non-stop. It’s based on a classic play The Kitchen, but with a modern twist (the staff are Latin American and Arab immigrants, while the upstairs diners are mostly English-speaking). La Cocina premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and is now available in theaters and streaming in 2025. It’s a lighter, funnier role for Rooney, showing she can do humor and heart as well as drama.

Bucking Fastard (TBA)

This is an upcoming project: Rooney Mara is set to star alongside her sister Kate Mara in Bucking Fastard, directed by Werner Herzog. The film is based on a true story of twin sisters at the fringes of society (in a cult-like rural community), and it’s produced by Herzog who’s known for intense dramas. Production began in 2024, so look for this one in late 2025 or 2026. It will be exciting to see Rooney Mara in a story like this, and of course she’ll bring her trademark depth.

Polaris (TBA)

Another upcoming film is Polaris, a period drama by director Lynne Ramsay (who made You Were Never Really Here). Rooney Mara will co-star with Joaquin Phoenix (her real-life partner) in this tale of a rugged Alaskan photographer in the 1890s who makes an unsettling pact with the devil. They’ve worked together before on Her and Mary Magdalene, so this reunion has fans buzzing. Details are sparse, but Polaris is expected to go into production soon.

Which Rooney Mara movie is your favorite? Some friends rave about her fierce hacker in Dragon Tattoo, others love the quiet pain of Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, and others adore her in the dreamlike Carol. Let me know which Rooney Mara movie you think is her best performance — I’d love to hear from you!